Published: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 4:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 4:43 p.m.

Counting down the days to the November election, members of the Henderson County Democratic Party rallied together at a potluck picnic with its candidates and community supporters Saturday afternoon at Patton Park.

Party Chairman Clay Eddleman welcomed the guests, announcing that the party has more candidates running in this election than it has many years.

Eleventh District Executive Committee Chair Luke Hyde said enthusiasm for the party is strong in the mountains and will produce a good turnout in November. With changes to voter ID laws and college student voting, Hyde said the state's legislature has hurt the electoral process which, along with its recent work on education, employment and the environment, will strengthen Democratic voter turnout.

NC House district 113 candidate Norm Bossert took the stage, motivating attendees to get Democrats out to vote and volunteer in every way they can.

Bossert said voters will see hard issues raised in the upcoming election, which he said will be a tough one for the Democrats, but there is a wave rising in Western North Carolina.

“A wave of people, who win or lose, are going to be there,” Bossert added. “We are going to make this state work for us. We are going to make it a home for everybody no matter who they are.”

Bossert said doing that will mean taking care of the poor, making schools better for children and expanding Medicaid.

“We are a wave, and they cannot stop the ocean,” Bossert said. “We are more powerful. At the end of the day, my friends, we are going to succeed not because of the legislature - in spite of the legislator.”

State Senate candidate Rick Wood said he has contacted Sen. Tom Apodaca's Hendersonville and Raleigh offices, and is trying to set up a debate between the candidates.

“We're 80 days from Nov. the 4th, but there's going to be a change in North Carolina,” Wood said.

Tom Hill, a congressional candidate running against Mark Meadows, said he's focusing on issues like ending war spending without hurting veteran benefits, equal pay for women, lowering corporate tax credits to help balance the budget and immigration reform to help farms.

Sheriff candidate Martin “Marty” Katz said he hopes to be the first Democratic sheriff the county has seen in 50 years.

“It's all about public safety over politics, because you don't make the law, you just enforce the law, so it really has no effect at my level,” Katz said.

After giving their stump speeches, many candidates stayed to talk to supporters and pass out promotional materials.

<p>Counting down the days to the November election, members of the Henderson County Democratic Party rallied together at a potluck picnic with its candidates and community supporters Saturday afternoon at Patton Park. </p><p>Party Chairman Clay Eddleman welcomed the guests, announcing that the party has more candidates running in this election than it has many years. </p><p>Eleventh District Executive Committee Chair Luke Hyde said enthusiasm for the party is strong in the mountains and will produce a good turnout in November. With changes to voter ID laws and college student voting, Hyde said the state's legislature has hurt the electoral process which, along with its recent work on education, employment and the environment, will strengthen Democratic voter turnout. </p><p>NC House district 113 candidate Norm Bossert took the stage, motivating attendees to get Democrats out to vote and volunteer in every way they can. </p><p>Bossert said voters will see hard issues raised in the upcoming election, which he said will be a tough one for the Democrats, but there is a wave rising in Western North Carolina. </p><p>“A wave of people, who win or lose, are going to be there,” Bossert added. “We are going to make this state work for us. We are going to make it a home for everybody no matter who they are.”</p><p>Bossert said doing that will mean taking care of the poor, making schools better for children and expanding Medicaid.</p><p>“We are a wave, and they cannot stop the ocean,” Bossert said. “We are more powerful. At the end of the day, my friends, we are going to succeed not because of the legislature - in spite of the legislator.”</p><p>State Senate candidate Rick Wood said he has contacted Sen. Tom Apodaca's Hendersonville and Raleigh offices, and is trying to set up a debate between the candidates.</p><p>“We're 80 days from Nov. the 4th, but there's going to be a change in North Carolina,” Wood said. </p><p>Tom Hill, a congressional candidate running against Mark Meadows, said he's focusing on issues like ending war spending without hurting veteran benefits, equal pay for women, lowering corporate tax credits to help balance the budget and immigration reform to help farms.</p><p>Sheriff candidate Martin “Marty” Katz said he hopes to be the first Democratic sheriff the county has seen in 50 years. </p><p> “It's all about public safety over politics, because you don't make the law, you just enforce the law, so it really has no effect at my level,” Katz said.</p><p>After giving their stump speeches, many candidates stayed to talk to supporters and pass out promotional materials.</p><p>___ </p><p>Reach Bindewald at renee.bindewald@blueirdgenow.com or 828-694-7890.</p>